21st April 2007

Armagh's long season came to a sad end on Saturday when they failed in their attempt to regain senior All-Ireland rugby status. They led City of Derry for much of the game but two late tries enabled the Derry side to hang on to their position in Division three. It really is a huge disappointment that Armagh have not gained any of the three competitions they were in the running for at the season's end. The Town's Cup went to Clogher Valley after Armagh lost out to them in March and Armagh went out of the Junior Cup when a weakened side was knocked out by Coleraine last week at the Palace Grounds.

But the big match of the season was always going to be the play-off against Derry. Matters could have been different had Armagh not conceded a late try at Naas, and gifting them with a bonus point, which allowed the Kildare team free promotion and forced Armagh to travel for an away match. To add to Armagh's troubles Derry were permitted, as the senior side, to recruit up to three dual status players, whereas Armagh were not permitted to do so. On the other hand, Armagh were able to field a full-strength side, with all of the recent injuries having been cleaned up.

Two first half disallowed tries will continue to haunt Armagh and indeed the seven points from at least one of them would have put them into Senior Rugby!

Also three potential penalty goal attempts were turned down in favour of kicks to the corner. However, when Armagh reached a 03-12 lead with two splendid tries and seemed to be in complete control of things, the day appeared to be secured.

Even when Derry scored their second try to bring the score to 12-13 Armagh were still far from beaten.

The final try, coming as it did in the final minute, had really no bearing on matters.

Derry had the kick-off and were favoured slightly with a diagonal breeze. Armagh had all the early attacks, forcing an early touch-down in goal. However, many penalties went against Armagh . The strength of the Armagh scrums was obvious from the start. A great follow-up from ahead by winger Redpath led to a line-out in the left corner. Eddie Orr was then forced to leave the field for treatment for a facial injury and was substituted briefly by Richard Shilliday.

Phil Polack was wide with a drop-goal attempt but was aware of a penalty award at the same time! However, the kick was put into the corner and nothing resulted. Eddie Orr returned to the field again, and Stephen Auld fed Polack who crossed the line for what appeared to be a fine try. However, the try was disallowed on the grounds of over-zealous rucking and Derry were awarded a penalty instead.

Polack went for an intercept but it eluded his efforts! Derry were attacking more now and a great Orr tackle and a tug of a Derry player into touch by Redpath saved matters. Another penalty was sent into the Derry corner but Armagh, un-typically, lost the line-out then they won a resulting scrum. A Derry knock-on gave Armagh a five metre scrum and Auld went in solo for a try which resulted in a beautiful conversion by Steenson from the touch-line. This gave Armagh a 0-07 lead.

From the re-start Steenson put in a great kick down-field but the Armagh backs were unable to benefit. So Derry finished the half with an easy penalty to leave them trailing 03-07 at the break.

Armagh began the second half with sensational try from Johnny Allen when he went straight by his man in typical style! The conversion attempt failed but the 03-12 score looked good for the visitors. Several more penalties were sent down into the corners but Armagh could not always win the necessary possession form the line-outs. Derry then started to use their backs and sent their right wing in for an unconverted try to bring the score to 08-12.

The breeze seemed to favour Derry now as they brought on more subs. Their nimble scrum-half broke from a scrum but Steenson tackled him into touch to save a certain try.

Mark Laverty came on as substitute for Stuart Lester and Andy Winder replaced James McCall who sustained a nasty hand injury. Derry scored their second unconverted try to bring the score to 12-13.

A defensive kick was charged-down on the Derry line but Armagh failed to gain from it.

Any type of score would have sealed the game for Armagh but Derry went on the attack and eventually in the last minute they scored another try in the right corner to steal the victory!

It was interesting that all of Derry 's tries were scored by the players they were permitted to enlist so how their normal side could have coped remains a mystery! Armagh have nothing to regret, they played well and destroyed the much heavier Derry scrum and more than won their own line-outs. Derry had to exert huge pressure to keep the Armagh backs at bay.

So Armagh have to concentrate on winning the Qualifying League again next season, with the added pressure of home and away games against Portadown!